A survey of antenatal and peripartum provision of information on analgesia and anaesthesia.

Pregnant women should receive information about what they might expect to experience during their delivery. Despite this, research shows many women are inadequately prepared for anaesthetic interventions during labour. We surveyed 903 postnatal women across 28 Greater London hospitals about: the analgesic and anaesthetic information that they recalled receiving during pregnancy and delivery; their confidence to make decisions on analgesia; and their satisfaction with the analgesia used. Wide variation was observed between hospitals. Overall, 67 of 749 (9.0%) women recalled receiving antenatal information covering all aspects of labour analgesia, and 108 of 889 (12.1%) covering anaesthesia for caesarean section. Regarding intrapartum information, 256 of 415 (61.7%) respondents recalled receiving thorough information before epidural insertion for labour analgesia, and 102 of 370 (27.6%) before anaesthesia for caesarean section. We found that 620 of 903 (68.7%) women felt well enough informed to be confident in their analgesic choices, and 675 of 903 (74.8%) stated that their analgesia was as expected or better. Receiving information verbally, regardless of provider, was the factor most strongly associated with respondents recalling receiving full information: odds ratio (95%CI) for labour analgesia 20.66 (8.98-47.53; p < 0.0001); epidural top-up for caesarean section 5.93 (1.57-22.35; p = 0.01); and general anaesthesia for caesarean section 12.39 (2.18-70.42; p = 0.01). A large proportion of respondents did not recall being fully informed before an anaesthetic intervention. Collaboration with current antenatal service providers, both in promoting information delivery and providing resources to assist with delivery, could improve the quality of information offered and women's retention of that information.

Haematoma and abscess after neuraxial anaesthesia: a review of 647 cases.

Although rare, spinal haematoma and abscess after central neuraxial blocks may cause severe permanent neurological injury. Optimal treatment and outcome remain unclear. In order to identify possible predisposing patient characteristics and describe the ensuing clinical course, we searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for reports of spinal haematomas and abscesses associated with central neuraxial blocks. Extracted data included patient characteristics, symptoms, treatment, and outcome. We analysed 409 reports, including 647 patients (387 patients with spinal haematoma and 260 patients with spinal abscess). Spinal haematoma and abscess occurred predominantly after epidural anaesthesia (58% and 83%, respectively). Neurological recovery was correlated with the severity of initial neurological deficit. When decompression of spinal haematoma was delayed for >12 h after clinical diagnosis, neurological outcome was worse compared with earlier decompression (odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 2.1-9.9, P<0.001, n=163). After spinal haematoma, 47% of published patients had full recovery, 28% had partial recovery, and in 25% no recovery was observed. Good outcome after conservative management was observed in patients with mild symptoms or with spontaneous recovery during the diagnostic and therapeutic workup. After spinal abscess, 68% of reported patients recovered fully, 21% showed partial recovery, and no recovery was reported in 11%. Persistent neurological symptoms after spinal haematoma and abscess are common and correlate with the severity of initial neurological deficit. Neurological outcome seems worse when decompressive surgery of haematoma is delayed. Notwithstanding the considerable risk of selection bias and publication bias, conservative management may be feasible in patients with mild symptoms or spontaneous recovery.

A randomised controlled trial comparing needle movements during combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia with and without ultrasound assistance.

Ultrasound assistance for neuraxial techniques may improve technical performance; however, it is unclear which populations benefit most. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of neuraxial ultrasound in women having caesarean section with combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia, and to identify factors associated with improved technical performance. Two-hundred and eighteen women were randomly allocated to ultrasound-assisted or control groups. All the women had a pre-procedure ultrasound, but only women in the ultrasound group had this information conveyed to the anaesthetist. Primary outcomes were first-pass success (a single needle insertion with no redirections) and procedure difficulty. Secondary outcomes were block quality, patient experience and complications. Exploratory sub-group analysis and regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with success. Data from 215 women were analysed. First-pass success was achieved in 67 (63.8%) and 42 (38.2%) women in the ultrasound and control groups, respectively (adjusted p = 0.001). Combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia was 'difficult' in 19 (18.1%) and 33 (30.0%) women in the ultrasound and control groups, respectively (adjusted p = 0.09). Secondary outcomes did not differ significantly. Anaesthetists misidentified the intervertebral level by two or more spaces in 23 (10.7%) women. Sub-group analysis demonstrated a benefit for ultrasound in women with easily palpable spinous processes (adjusted p = 0.027). Regression analysis identified use of ultrasound and easily palpable spinous processes to be associated with first-pass success.

A survey of international antisepsis procedures for neuraxial catheterisation in labour.

BACKGROUND: Neuraxial analgesia during labour is a mainstay of anaesthetic practice globally. Despite the potential for significant neurological and infectious complications, international antisepsis practices for neuraxial anaesthesia vary widely. AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to clarify international antisepsis practices prior to neuraxial analgesia in labour. The secondary aim was to determine an approximate international incidence of neuraxial infections and neurological complications secondary to neuraxial analgesia techniques in labour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heads of Departments of Anaesthesiology were invited to complete an online questionnaire exploring antisepsis practices and complications of neuraxial catheterisation. Data from 151 institutions in 13 countries were collected over 11months. RESULTS: Data were collected for an estimated 6008540 deliveries and 3770800 neuraxial catheterisations. The average annual birth rate per institution was 3979 births, with an average of 2497 neuraxial catheterizations (representing 62.8% of deliveries). Forty-nine percent of responders reported always wearing sterile gowns for the procedure, whereas 47.7% never wear gowns. Chlorhexidine was used by 88.1% of those surveyed, and 96.7% always wore facemasks. Thirty-four percent of institutions reported infectious complications over a 10-year period. Ninety neuraxial infections were estimated, giving an approximate incidence of 1:41898 catheterisations (2.39 infections per 100000 catheterisations). A total of 202 neurological complications were reported, with an approximate incidence of 1:18667 catheterisations (5.36 neurological complications per 100000 catheterisations). CONCLUSION: The survey demonstrated marked variation in aseptic practice between both responding centres and countries. The incidence of infectious and neurological complications secondary to neuraxial catherisation in labour has been approximated.

Cervical epidural analgesia in current anaesthesia practice: systematic review of its clinical utility and rationale, and technical considerations.

Cervical epidural analgesia (CEA) is an analgesic technique, potentially useful for surgeries involving the upper body. Despite the inherent technical risks and systemic changes, it has been used for various surgeries. There have been no previously published systematic reviews aimed at assessing its clinical utility. This systematic review was performed to explore the perioperative benefits of CEA. The review was also aimed at identifying the rationale of its use, reported surgical indications and the method of use. We performed a literature search involving PubMed and Embase databases, to identify studies using CEA for surgical indications. Out of 467 potentially relevant articles, 73 articles were selected. Two independent investigators extracted data involving 5 randomized controlled trials, 17 observational comparative trials, and 51 case reports (series). The outcomes studied in most comparative studies were on effects of local anaesthetics and other agents, systemic effects, and feasibility of CEA. In one randomized controlled study, CEA was observed to decrease the resting pain scores after pharyngo-laryngeal surgeries. In a retrospective study, CEA was shown to decrease the cancer recurrence after pharyngeal-hypopharyngeal surgeries. The limited evidence, small studies, and the chosen outcomes do not allow for any specific recommendations based on the relative benefit or harm of CEA. Considering the potential for significant harm, in the face of better alternatives, its use must have a strong rationale mostly supported by unique patient and surgical demands. Future studies must aim to assess analgesic comparator effectiveness for clinically relevant outcomes.

Neuraxial block and postoperative epidural analgesia: effects on outcomes in the POISE-2 trial†.

BACKGROUND: We assessed associations between intraoperative neuraxial block and postoperative epidural analgesia, and a composite primary outcome of death or non-fatal myocardial infarction, at 30 days post-randomization in POISE-2 Trial subjects. METHODS: 10 010 high-risk noncardiac surgical patients were randomized aspirin or placebo and clonidine or placebo. Neuraxial block was defined as intraoperative spinal anaesthesia, or thoracic or lumbar epidural anaesthesia. Postoperative epidural analgesia was defined as postoperative epidural local anaesthetic and/or opioid administration. We used logistic regression with weighting using estimated propensity scores. RESULTS: Neuraxial block was not associated with the primary outcome [7.5% vs 6.5%; odds ratio (OR), 0.89; 95% CI (confidence interval), 0.73-1.08; P=0.24], death (1.0% vs 1.4%; OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.53-1.35; P=0.48), myocardial infarction (6.9% vs 5.5%; OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.74-1.12; P=0.36) or stroke (0.3% vs 0.4%; OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.44-2.49; P=0.91). Neuraxial block was associated with less clinically important hypotension (39% vs 46%; OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-1.00; P=0.04). Postoperative epidural analgesia was not associated with the primary outcome (11.8% vs 6.2%; OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.89-2.48; P=0.13), death (1.3% vs 0.8%; OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.35-1.99; P=0.68], myocardial infarction (11.0% vs 5.7%; OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.90-2.61; P=0.11], stroke (0.4% vs 0.4%; OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.18-2.32; P=0.50] or clinically important hypotension (63% vs 36%; OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.95-2.09; P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Neuraxial block and postoperative epidural analgesia were not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes among POISE-2 subjects.

Neuraxial block, death and serious cardiovascular morbidity in the POISE trial.

BACKGROUND: This post hoc analysis aimed to determine whether neuraxial block was associated with a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and non-fatal cardiac arrest within 30 days of randomization in POISE trial patients. METHODS: A total of 8351 non-cardiac surgical patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications were randomized to ß-blocker or placebo. Neuraxial block was defined as spinal, lumbar or thoracic epidural anaesthesia. Logistic regression, with weighting using estimated propensity scores, was used to determine the association between neuraxial block and primary and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Neuraxial block was associated with an increased risk of the primary outcome [287 (7.3%) vs 229 (5.7%); odds ratio (OR), 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.49; P=0.03] and MI [230 (5.9%) vs 177 (4.4%); OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.64; P=0.009] but not stroke [23 (0.6%) vs 32 (0.8%); OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.44-1.33; P=0.34], death [96 (2.5%) vs 111 (2.8%); OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.65-1.17; P=0.37] or clinically significant hypotension [522 (13.4%) vs 484 (12.1%); OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.99-1.30; P=0.08]. Thoracic epidural with general anaesthesia was associated with a worse primary outcome than general anaesthesia alone [86 (12.1%) vs 119 (5.4%); OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 2.00-4.35; P<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: In patients at high risk of cardiovascular morbidity, neuraxial block was associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, which could be causal or because of residual confounding.

Volume kinetics of lactated Ringer's solution during induction of epidural versus general anesthesia in elderly patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To compare the volume kinetics of lactated Ringer' s solution during induction of general and epidural anesthesia in elderly patients.Methods Forty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 66-86 yr,weighing 45-86 kg,undergoing elective surgery,were studied.In epidural anesthesia group (n =20),lactated Ringer' s solution was infused intravenously starting from 10 min before epidural anesthesia was performed with local anesthetics.In general anesthesia group (n =20),lactated Ringer' s solution 1000 ml was infused intravenously over 60 min starting from 20 min before induction of anesthesia.Arterial blood samples were obtained every 5 min for measurement of hemoglobin concentrations.The plasma dilution,volume increase,and volume expansion efficacy were calculated.Results The plasma dilution,volume increase and volume expansion were significantly higher at 30-60 min of lactated Ringer' s solution infusion in general anesthesia group than in epidural anesthesia group (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion The volume expansion of lactated Ringer' s solution is greater in elderly patients during induction of general anesthesia than that during induction of epidural anesthesia.

Clinical comparison between local anaesthesia and epidural block anaesthesia in tension-free hernioplusties / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate and to compare the clinical curative efficacies of local anaesthesia and epidural block anaesthesia in tension-free hemioplasties. Methods 89 patients hospitalized were randomly divided in-to two groups, with each of them respectively adopting the two types of anaesthesia methods (local anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia) to cure inguinal hernia,operation methods is tension-free hernioplasties. Results The results show that in terms of duration of operation, early-phase activities after operation, time of hospitalization, post-opera-tion pains,early-phase complication after operation and treatment expenses etc, local anaesthesia is undoubtedly supe-rior to epidural block anaesthesia. Conclusion Tensioa-free hernioplasties under local anaesthesia is worth clinical promotion to benefit all the patients.

Anestesia peridural continua para cesariana em paciente portadora de arterite de Takayasu / Continue epidural anesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with Takayasu's disease

A melhor técnica anestésica para pacientes com arterite de Takayasu é controversa.A anestesia regional tem sido questionada por alguns autores, devido ao risco de hipotensão arterial. A anestesia geral é também questionada por dificultar a avaliação da função cerebral, que pode estar alterada nestes pacientes, além das repercussões na pressão arterial. Relata-se neste estudo o caso de uma pacientede 31 anos, 35 semanas de idade gestacional, portadora de arterite de Takayasuhá 2 anos, em uso de prednisona, submetida à cesariana sob anestesia peridural contínua. A cirurgia transcorreu sem alterações pressóricas, respiratórias ou de consciência; foi necessário o uso de metoprolol (3mg EV) para controle da frequência cardíaca. A técnica anestésica empregada possibilitou titular doses de anestésicos locais para obtenção de nível adequado de anestesia necessário para a realização de operação cesariana, com mínimo risco de hipotensão arterial.

The best anesthetic technique for patients with Takayasu arteritis is controversial. Regional anesthesia has been questioned due to the risk of arterial hypotension by several authors. General anesthesia now is also being questioned for hindering the evaluation of brain function, which can be altered in these patients, in addition to its repercussions on blood pressure. A case of Takayasu arteritis with 2 yearsduration was reported in a 31 year-old patient. The patient at 35 weeks of gestation received prednisone and was submitted to caesarean section under continuous epidural anesthesia. During surgery there were no alterations in arterial blood pressure, respiration or consciousness. Metoprolol (3mg endovenous) was necessary to control heart rate. The anesthetic technique used enabled titration of local anesthetic doses to obtain an adequate level of anesthesia required to perform caesarean section with minimum risk of arterial hypotension.

Comparative Analysis of Local Anaesthesia and Epidural Anaesthesia in Tension-Free Herniorrhaphy / 中国普外基础与临床杂志

Objective To investigate the most suitable anaesthesia method for the tension-free herniorrhaphy.Methods A total of 422 unilateral inguinal hernia cases from 2002 to 2005 were collected and randomly divided into the local anaesthesia group and epidural anaesthesia group. Observation indices and some relative data, such as operative duration, date of ambulation, date of foodintake, length of hospital stay, operation-correlated complications, anaesthesia complications, usage rate of ancillary drug, satisfactory rate for anesthesia, cost of hospitalization, were included and recorded in the questionnaire, and all the patients who took the tension-free herniorrhaphy were asked to answer it as the follow-up research. Results It was found that the occurrence of postoperative anaesthetic complications, the cost of hospitalization, length of stay of local anaesthesia group were significantly less than those of epidural anaesthesia group, and the date of moving and the date of foodintake were also significantly earlier than those of the other group (P0.05). Conclusion The local anaesthesia is suitable for most of the tension-free herniorrhaphy, and it may be used as the conventional anaesthetic method.

COMBINED SPINAL AND EPIDURAL ANAESTHESIA FOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY: A NEW TECHNIQUE.

Combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia was used in 50 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. A fixed dose of 1.0 mL of 5 per cent lignocaine was injected intrathecally in all cases followed by 10 mL of 0.5 per cent bupivacaine epidurally, using "needle through needle" technique in the same lumbar intervertebral space. Subsequently epidural catheter was passed for top-up doses and postoperative analgesia. The advantages of this technique observed were immediate onset of intense block of prolonged, controllable duration and no incidence of post-spinal headache. Five cases developed intraoperative hypotension which required correction. No patient developed any complications of spinal and epidural anaesthesia.